Overview & Reviews

Volkswagen is an automaker based in Germany. Its products typically command a higher price than those of competing models, but the return is a more upscale driving and ownership experience.

In 1934, Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to build a small, inexpensive car at the request of Adolph Hitler. His answer -- a beetle-shaped sedan that was called a Volkswagen (German for "people's car") -- debuted two years later. Hitler had a town built near the plant for factory workers; he named it Kraft durch Freude Stadt (derived from the Nazi party's motto, "Joy through Strength"), and soon decided that Porsche's creation should be named the KdF-wagen (short for the "Joy through Strength" car). This upset Porsche, who was not political.

World War II delayed production of the vehicle; the factory suffered extensive damage during combat, and was ultimately taken over by the British Army. The company was renamed Volkswagen, and the town at the factory was renamed Wolfsburg (after Werner von Schulenberg of Wolfsburg, who had been forced to surrender his land for the construction of the town and factory). By the end of the 1940s, mass production of the Volkswagen Beetle had begun. The model made its first appearance on U.S. shores in 1949.

The 1950s saw Volkswagen broadening its product range, adding the Bus (Type 2) to its lineup. The Bus, especially, proved quite popular due to its versatility. And the Beetle, which went on to become the best-selling car of all time, quickly showed signs of being an enduring favorite, with more than 1 million models produced at the Wolfsburg factory by 1955. This decade also saw the debut of the Karmann Ghia sports car, which featured a sleek, Italian-designed two-seater body atop a Beetle platform.

Volkswagen's star rose during the 1960s, its success fueled largely by the breakout success of the Beetle. The car benefited from an effective advertising campaign and from an appearance in a popular Disney movie. By the close of the decade, Volkswagen's yearly output of Beetles topped the 1 million mark.

In 1972, with more than 15 million units assembled, the Beetle topped the world production record set by Ford's Model T. Mid-decade saw the launch of a new era of Volkswagens that had front-mounted, water-cooled engines driving the front wheels. The Passat (Dasher in the U.S.) was the first of the new breed and was built using standardized components that could be used interchangeably among other models in the manufacturer's lineup. The Passat was soon joined by the Golf (Rabbit in the U.S.), which met with immediate success. By the end of the decade, the manufacturer's lineup had grown to include the Scirocco sport coupe and the performance-oriented Golf/Rabbit GTI. The Beetle, however, was discontinued for the U.S. market.

The Golf grew in popularity during the '80s, becoming Volkswagen's most popular model. When a second generation of the car was built in 1983, it was crafted in a mostly automated process using robots -- marking the first time robots had been used in vehicle manufacture. By the mid-'80s, the U.S. version traded the Rabbit name for "Golf." The higher-performance Golf GTI helped the manufacturer make waves on the rally circuit. In 1986, Volkswagen Motorsport nabbed the title of Group A World Rally Champions.

Volkswagen saw its sales in the North American market tumble during the early '90s, but by the end of the decade, refocused marketing efforts and an increased emphasis on new products had brought about a turnaround in the company's fortunes. The popular New Beetle helped put the company back on the radar in the United States (though it fared less successfully in European markets). The body style was based on the classic Beetle, and it struck a chord with consumers who still had a place in their hearts for the iconic, cheerful-looking "love bug."

The new millennium saw Volkswagen moving into the luxury segment with the launch of the pricey Phaeton sedan and Touareg SUV. Though well-designed and executed, the Phaeton was a disappointment sales-wise, perhaps signaling unwillingness on the part of consumers to shell out premium dollars for a brand that lacks the cachet of established upscale names like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Luckily, Volkswagen has seen success with other vehicles in its lineup, which currently includes everything from family-oriented sedans to roomy SUVs. Today, the automaker enjoys a reputation for crafting vehicles that offer refined handling and upscale accommodations.

User Reviews:

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  Unreliable but fun and sexy - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mrein - January 10 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive, sophisticated in exterior styling, very responsive and quick acceleration. BUT Ive been stranded on a dark road at night one time by an indeterminate electrical problem; limped home on a very hot day with my elderly parents along (needed a NEW transmission that time); had the ignition coils replaced within 500 miles of going out of warrenty (the dealer didnt charge); and now the trouble light is on again.

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  Rattles!!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mth - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I cant stop all the rattles! The instrument panel is the worst followed closely by the drivers door and then the rear door tweeter mounts. Now the A/C control backlight has burnt out. 8 months and instrumentlights are burning out? AND the dealer said that the vibration I feel on the highway during acceleration is an inner CV joint starting to fail! I traded a 7yr old BMW with less issues than this car. If you want an aftermarket stereo, dont get the Monsoon! And if you decide you want to pull out your radio, be prepared to go to the dealer to reset your alarm. Too many issues, for such a new car, especially for the price. Too bad I am so upside down or it would be GONE!

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  Never Again - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By The Golfer - January 5 - 2:00 am

  This is car has been a nightmare. Ive blown 3 headlights, 4 foglights, the turn signals have never worked consistantly, sometimes they just dont work and now after the 3rd time on the drivers side it just stopped working. The back window makes this loud noise when its used, so my solution has been to just stop using it after the dealership cant seem to fix this as well as the other problems. The first year I had the car, it was in the shop 16 times. Call me anal, but I like the lights to work when I need them. The cd player has been replaced, the climate control just shuts off, then will eventually come back on.

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  Over-engineered - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dan Bassininski - January 5 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been in for repair work averaging every 8800 miles. Each time it is for something different (recalls, check engine light, power windows etc). The average driver should expect what is equivalent to about three extra car payments every other year once the warranty expires. My advice is to unload it before the warranty expires. VW refuses to stand by its vehicles. This is not directed at the dealership. It is directed at the manufacturers poor quality control and lack of integrity.

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  Make them in Germany please - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JFM - January 5 - 2:00 am

  I own two Jettas: a 2003 sedan, and a 2004 wagon, both GLS 1.8T 5M. The sedan is made in Mexico; the Wagon in Germany. What a difference. I dont know whether it is coincidence, but squeaks and rattles are the norm in the Mexican-built, whereas the German- built is solid as an Audi.

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  Great little car! - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By Eckeman - January 4 - 8:23 pm

  I bought this one with 5K miles way back in 2000 and it has been going strong for over 9 years. The only major issue Ive had was brake rotor and pad replacement at 25K, which was costly. We also had some minor oxygen sensor and catalytic converter issues that were under warranty and easily resolved. I replaced the timing belt and water pump at 90K, as recommended. So in short, we’ve put nearly 120K on this thing with very few problems. The design is very sleek; it hardly looks dated after nearly 10 years. The car is great on the highway, with a very solid, tight feel. It has great safety features (4 air bags, ABS). I love the steering, controls, dash lighting and the interior space.

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  Missing Two Important Features - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By AnshuNJ - January 4 - 3:00 am

  This is an amazing small SUV, but it does not come with built-in satellite radio (its not even an option). I dont like to use standalone dashboard-mounted satellite radio player. Also, the navigation system does not have voice recognition.

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  Dealer upgrade all VW needs - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By Bill T - January 3 - 10:00 am

  My GTI GLX has been an absolute pleasure to drive. The dealership experience however, is not. The metro dealer, Jim Ellis, can not get a car in for an oil change without an appointment at least a week + in advance! Since the VR6 engine has a unique oil filter design, and the Jiffy Lube types struggle with getting a domestic cars oild changed without forgetting something, the dealer is it. I have had good luck at Harrison and Heritage VW stores, however. Im now in need of a larger vehicle and will likely consider Honda or Nissan as their dealer networks are much more robust.

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  mixed - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By knothead - January 3 - 10:00 am

  In two years and 15000 miles the following problems: 1. gas cap remote did not work at time of delivery; 2.drivers side door grip flaked off; 3. drivers side window control died; 4. mass air sensor went out.

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  False Advertising Adds Large Unexpected Expense - 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By angry17 - January 3 - 6:35 am

  The Tiguan sales brochure advertises "Trailer Hitch Preparation". After purchasing the car, I was told it would cost $1,000 for a hitch, five times the amount charged by other manufacturers. Non-dealer cost is not less expensive because of the cost of special parts and the labor needed to remove all the interior behind the rear seat to install the part. Complaints to VW about the cost and the implication that the claim is "Trailer Hitch Prepared" fall on deaf ears. After reviewing complaints from others, I realize that VW is poor on warranty work as well. Accordingly, I will never buy a VW again despite the fact they build excellent cars.